Announcing Outer Space Raiders for Swords & Wizardry

Well, it’s Swords & Wizardry Appreciation Day and I had really big plans for a really cool preview. I wasn’t happy with what came I out so I decided to give a good introduction rather than a crappy preview.What’s Outer Space Raiders?
It’s a Retro Space Opera supplement for Swords & Wizardry. It’s not hard sci-fi and it’s not Spelljammer. Think of it as Flash Gordon and Conan fight Skeletor. The main inspiration is the old serials, pulp comics, crazy Jack Kirby art, and B science fiction movies. It’s fantastic but not fantasy. But heck if you want space elves then just add them. The line between science and magic is really blurred. Heck, just don’t think about modern science too much at all. Set your brain back 90 years. I’m going to rewrite huge sections of the rules. There really isn’t a point. The main focus is on classes, races, monsters, gear, and various other tools to grab the feel. There’s only going to be implied setting but heck if folks really want it, I’ll do more for it.
I know there’s lots really fine OSR space opera games out there like Bandits & Battle Cruisers, Hulks & Horrors, and X-Plorers. (Just to name a few.) There’s nothing wrong with them. Heck, there damned good. There was just something more I wanted to add. And since it’s OSR stuff, it’s really easy to convert.
Here’s the classes that are planned right now to give you good taste for the tone of the game.Astormancers use Quantum Formulas to alter reality and navigate the spaceways.Galaxy Rangers are the law in lawless space. Protect the weak and all that stuff.Noetic Knights trained their minds for years to become deadly warriors.Scoundrels are daring swashbuckling heroes.Starbarians plucked from primitive worlds and thrust into adventures in space. Tough and deadly warriors.Star Warriors are soldiers trained in all manner of weapons.Techno-Priests build and repair advanced technology.Warp Ninjas are deadly assassins who draw their power from a black hole.
Now I’m not 100% sure what the final goal is going to be on this. Sure, there will be some cool updates in the coming weeks. I might just throw it up for free or maybe PWYW on Drivethrurpg. We’ll see how it goes. So stay tuned for that.
Lastly, I really to mention a couple of folks whose work has really gotten me excited about this. There’s Jay over at the Exonauts! Blog and Trey Causey of From the Sorcerer’s Skull and most recently and darned awesome Strange Stars.
So there it is. This is my current Swords & Wizardry project. Stay tuned and hang on to your rocket packs!

10 thoughts on “Announcing Outer Space Raiders for Swords & Wizardry”

No problem! Even though I already have half a dozen old-school science fiction/science fantasy games at my disposal, the idea of Outer Space Raiders just tickles my fancy. The character classes alone sound like what happens when Arduin meets Encounter Critical. Also, I don’t know if you know, but Space Raiders is the name of a classic extraterrestrial-themed British snack. So that’s an extra level of splendidness right there.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Raiders

I ain’t no scholar. I ain’t no academic. I’m not that smart or good looking. I’m just a guy who wants to roll dice and have some fun. This is my little blog featuring lots of old school RPG stuff and other RPG rants. Remember the cardinal rules. The rules are guidelines. Keep it simple. Roll dice, Kill monsters. Take their stuff. And have fun!

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